>I don't see how mike's musical style wasn't black. >even his "rock" songs sound black to my ears.
but I felt that (and I believe I've said it here before), that one of the BLACKEST moments in recorded music was that part right after the Synclavier GONG in "Beat It", with the low "whistling" sound and the drum machine, right before the guitars come in.
there was an organic sort of "street" side to many songs on Thriller, that I think Mike was aiming for with Bad but IMO missed the mark. I don't think gets a lot of press, in that regard... as OTW or Dangerous usually gets those props by virtue of the style of the music on that record.